We are Americans, speaking the same language, adopting the same customs, holding the same general opinions... and shall rise and fall with Americans.

Slaves are generally expected to sing as well as to work.

A man's rights rest in three boxes: the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box.

Everybody has asked the question . . . 'What shall we do with the Negro?' I have had but one answer from the beginning. Do nothing with us! Your doing with us has already played the mischief with us. Do nothing with us!

Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground.

You degrade us and then ask why we are degraded. You shut our mouths and ask why we don't speak. You close your colleges and seminaries against us and then ask why we don't know.

What is possible for me is possible for you.